Do you travel with mechanical jacks on or off?

[100acrehuphalump]

What would be some reasons you would travel with the mechanical jacks on or off and why? I understand one might be weight or getting in the way while off roading but why would you travel with them on or off? Thanks in advance...

 

[DonC]

Off - for the two reason's you note. They are a lot of weight to carry around all the time and definitely could be a hazard in even the simplest of off-road terrain - high spots, vegetation, etc.

 

[PaulT]

Take then off,
Positives:
1. Saves about 100 lbs when off
2. If someone bumps them in a parking lot, the leverage they have can rip out the corner of the camper. When I had my Hawk installed, I was advised to leave them in the place where I would store the camper as it usually exceeds $2000 to repair a mangled corner.
3. Provides attachment points for attaching a telescoping antenna mast
4. Provides attachment points front and back to hang an ABS plastic tube with fishing rods, poles for erecting tarps, antennas, and other lengthy objects I may want.
5. Makes it even harder for someone to transfer the camper to their truck. (Unlikely,, but I wanted 5 reasons.

Negatives:
1. Makes it impossible to remove camper from truck and leave it in campground to hold my spot while I explore. ??
2. Less likely to confuse camper with the Tardis or the Lunar Lander.

My $.02
Paul

 

[Lighthawk]

I use Makita battery powered impact driver and pull off the jacks every time. Original bolts got chewed, so I bought hardened nuts/bolts. I only left the jacks on one time, and found they blocked my mirrors. When off road, which is where we explore, they are at risk of being torn off and causing damage. I never would consider dismounting in the field, so we don't need them.

 

[craig333]

I hit a jack offroad back when I had my big camper. It was fairly catastrophic. At least put them inside until you reach your destination.

 

[Taku]

Like others, off. Weight, I use the brackets to mount extra taillights when carrying bikes on the hitch rack, plus we bolt J hooks on the lowest holes that are handy for hanging packs, dog leashes, coats, etc. Also, with an 05 Tundra, the extended brackets block the side mirrors and at certain speeds/road conditions, one or two of the brackets would rattle loudly no matter how much we fiddled with them.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Okay, taking them off is probably the best thing for most folk , but me, still on after all these years! Why? Let's see, I like to hang things on them , I like the extra weight on my F150 in the sand and on the freeway . Maybe the real reason me thinks, is I just know I'll find that "most perfect spot in the world" that I have been searching for all these years and want to leave the camper there-but I left those dang jacks home , so now I can't run to town to pick up more supplies and come back & hide from the world ! Maybe I'm just lazy !

Smoke

 

[craig333]

It depends a lot on your rig too. Mines so dang stiff I never feel the need to have jacks stabilizing it. The jack brackets, those do get used for all kinds of stuff.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Would y'all option in for the aluminum brackets as opposed to the steel ones?

 

[JaSAn]

For the rare occasion the camper comes off the truck, I use cable lifts. I don't have jack brackets on the camper.

jim

 

[Cayuse]

Off for weight, using the brackets for other things in camp and off road use of the truck.

 

[Fyreman]

Off

 

[jcfly]

Off all the time. The weight savings and damage potential are too much to ignore.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

On at home, off when off...thanks everyone!

 

[MidAtlantic]

Take then off,
Positives:
1. Saves about 100 lbs when off
2. If someone bumps them in a parking lot, the leverage they have can rip out the corner of the camper. When I had my Hawk installed, I was advised to leave them in the place where I would store the camper as it usually exceeds $2000 to repair a mangled corner.
3. Provides attachment points for attaching a telescoping antenna mast
4. Provides attachment points front and back to hang an ABS plastic tube with fishing rods, poles for erecting tarps, antennas, and other lengthy objects I may want.
5. Makes it even harder for someone to transfer the camper to their truck. (Unlikely,, but I wanted 5 reasons.

Negatives:
1. Makes it impossible to remove camper from truck and leave it in campground to hold my spot while I explore. ??
2. Less likely to confuse camper with the Tardis or the Lunar Lander.

My $.02
Paul

To hold a spot, one can try leaving some stuff (not expensive of course) at the site. We used to leave our cooler on the picnic table.

 

[cdbrow1]

Would y'all option in for the aluminum brackets as opposed to the steel ones?

I went for the Aluminum brackets - simple for the rust issue. The weight savings are minimal but also a plus. I plan on spending a lot of time at the coast and on salted roads.

 

[Dorado_33]

I have often thought about this topic I am about ready to drive from Northern California to Arkansas at the end of February so what I am reading is take them off for the long distant travel. Is there any fuel savings?

 

[jha6av8r]

I have often thought about this topic I am about ready to drive from Northern California to Arkansas at the end of February so what I am reading is take them off for the long distant travel. Is there any fuel savings?

I would say any travel. Picking my camper up at the factory confirmed what I already thought. The jacks were on when I arrived at the factory to have my camper installed. During orientation the the service tech taking me through it said I'll give you two pair of jacks in the box if you let my take off the ones that are mounted. He said he's seen too many people snag something and damage the camper. Honestly can's see any reason to have them on while traveling.

 

[Dorado_33]

Thanks for the info. will be taking them off for my trip and any other long trips

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Thanks for the info. will be taking them off for my trip and any other long trips

^^What he said^^